Fresh, authentic Chinese: The China Kitchen
Hand-made, fresh, delicious, and authentic cuisine. 
These are all words you would use to describe The China Kitchen, one of the city’s most long-standing traditional Chinese restaurants. Their menu boasts an impressive 102 dishes from Mongolian lamb to lychees red curry king prawns, and Sichuan chicken. Stella Li and her husband have been running the family-owned restaurant since 2001. They pride themselves on having a welcoming and authentic restaurant. As you walk through the doors, you will be greeted by beautiful décor including hand-painted Chinese murals, hanging lotus lights, and a modern open dining room.
Health is a big focus in everything they serve up, too. Stella tells us that the most popular item on the menu is their dumplings, which feature pork and chives, chicken and spinach, or a vegetarian option. They make the dumplings daily using their own pastry.
“We offer traditional Chinese meals that we make healthy.
We do not use MSG, we use canola oil and offer gluten free options,” she adds. “We use fresh ingredients and cook when you order, so your dish is nice and delicious. 
Head to The China Kitchen website below to book in or peruse the menu, or head to 21a Main North Road, Papanui from 11.30am–9.30pm Tuesday–Saturday, or 11.30am–9pm on Sundays.
